How Charlene Kaye turned pop parody, culture clash and comedy into viral gold

When Charlene Kaye first posted her Taylor Swift parody, she was so fearful of fan backlash that she solely shared it on her Instagram shut buddies story. 

“That’s how afraid I used to be of the Swifties coming to homicide me,” she mentioned.

Now, the classically skilled musician-turned-comedian has tens of millions of views for her viral interpretations of pop music’s largest stars, dissecting every part from Swift to Woman Gaga’s signature “ro-ma-ma-poo-poo-pee-pee-ka-ka-ka” lyrics.

Kaye, who has a background in classical music concept, gained widespread consideration final yr when her assortment of musical parodies went viral on platforms like TikTok. She breaks down the widespread musical components from of the most well-liked songs and highlights what makes their songs so recognizable.

“As a result of I’ve background in classical music concept and since I even have a humorousness, I used to be like, what if I simply wrote a music that had all the tropes that I discover,” Kaye mentioned.

The technique labored. Pop star Chappell Roan even responded positively to her personal parody, commenting “Precisely! You get it!” 

Born in Honolulu to her mom Lily, a Chinese language immigrant, Kaye’s household finally moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, the place she was raised. Her musical journey started with guitar classes in her bed room and performances at native open mic nights and low retailers.

It was form of a struggle to claim my very own id and my very own expertise,” she mentioned. 

Her choice to pursue music professionally created rigidity together with her immigrant mom, who grew up in poverty in Sixties Singapore.

“It’s a luxurious and a privilege to be a artistic individual,” Kaye mentioned.

Whereas finding out English on the College of Michigan with plans to develop into a trainer, Kaye made a unique alternative. 

“I ditched all my lessons to play rock exhibits, discover my folks and resolve that I needed to be a rockstar,” she mentioned.

Her early profession included taking part in guitar for the cult favourite parody “A Very Potter Musical” alongside her pal, actor Darren Criss. She later moved to New York and joined indie rock band San Fermin.

Kaye’s comedy work attracts closely from her relationship together with her mom. She produced a one-woman present titled “Tiger Daughter, Or How I Introduced My Immigrant Mom Final Disgrace.”

The present explores the idea of a “tiger daughter,” the kid of a demanding “tiger mom,” who pushes youngsters towards excessive achievement. Regardless of its rebellious humor, Kaye describes the present as in the end a love letter to her mom.

When requested if her mom is pleased with her, Kaye mentioned, “I feel she is in her personal approach. I feel we’ll all the time, there’ll all the time be a deep core of affection even when there is not the understanding half.”